That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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That’s not what kissing means!

 

Episode 40

 

Vanessa, who made eye contact with Evelyn, quickly flashed a bright smile.

 

“Since you’re here, how about experiencing what it’s like to be a knight?”

 

“What kind of experience?”

 

She had never held a sword in her entire life. Vanessa smiled and corrected herself.

 

“Let’s play a game. You two can be on the same team.”

 

There’s nothing to be afraid of, she said with a wink.

 

“Hit the target with daggers! Whoever gets the highest score wins!”

 

“I really have no confidence in swordsmanship…”

 

“That sounds difficult! Then how about hitting Victor, who’s bigger than the target?”

 

“N-no! I’ll do it with the target!”

 

Evelyn’s face turned pale. Vanessa, who had been chuckling while watching her, glanced toward Theo.

 

“It would be good for you to learn how to handle a sword from your lord for a while.”

 

Since you’re a beginner! Her cheerful voice echoed.

 

In one area of the training ground, daggers and related training equipment were placed.

 

The wooden target board was covered with sharp sword marks.

 

“Pick one you like.”

 

At Theo’s words, Evelyn picked up the dagger closest to her. It was a size that fit in one hand.

 

To think this was a weapon actually used by knights… It felt somehow fascinating. She adjusted her grip several times, but the unfamiliar feeling didn’t fade.

 

“There’s no need to feel awkward.”

 

Theo approached from behind her. Just as Evelyn’s attention was about to turn to him due to the approaching warmth.

 

‘What’s this?’

 

She felt a massive presence from somewhere.

 

Knights in armor had gathered around.

 

One characteristic of the Mage Knights was that when something interesting appeared, they showed infinite curiosity.

 

Those who had been immersed in training began to grow curious about Evelyn.

 

At first, they simply thought she was a guest of the ducal house.

 

But the situation changed when their lord appeared. It was the first time they’d seen him smile and converse with a woman. And what was with that affectionate attitude!

 

Their interest in their lord extended to Evelyn.

 

‘What exactly is her identity?’

 

Theo’s mask-like smile was already familiar to them. But this time felt different.

 

“The expression he’s making toward that person is somehow different!”

 

“It’s not the face that says ‘keep it brief’?”

 

“It doesn’t seem like the smile that says ‘get lost’ either?”

 

It wasn’t for public use or as a warning.

 

Without realizing it, they pretended to train while gradually approaching the two. Very secretly.

 

The problem was that dozens of people had approached. Eventually, they ended up surrounding Evelyn and Theo in a circle.

 

Evelyn looked around with a bewildered expression.

 

‘Why are they looking at me like that?’

 

They looked like primitive people discovering fire for the first time.

 

Noticing her discomfort, Theo spoke.

 

“Just a moment.”

 

Then he turned around and walked slowly toward his subordinates.

 

With each step the Duke took forward, his subordinates retreated three steps with fearful faces.

 

After several rounds of backing away, the distance from Evelyn had grown.

 

Confirming this, Theo murmured so only the knights could hear.

 

“Where did you learn to approach your master while holding swords?”

 

The knights flinched and glared at each other.

 

It’s your fault!

 

You couldn’t hide your presence…

 

None of it was their own fault.

 

As the murmuring grew louder, Theo smiled eerily.

 

“It seems you all want to become targets.”

 

His calm tone evoked an ominous feeling. Only then did the knights stop training and run to their lodging.

 

The courtyard became quiet in an instant.

 

Evelyn looked surprised at the suddenly changed situation.

 

Theo approached her and explained nonchalantly.

 

“It’s lunch time.”

 

“But it’s still morning…”

 

“They must be hungry.”

 

Evelyn seemed puzzled but soon nodded. She didn’t want excessive attention anyway.

 

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Vanessa approached the two.

 

“It would be good if you and Evelyn form one team, and Whittaker and I form another! Then I’ll see you after practice time!”

 

“Why do we even need practice time for this…!”

 

“Ah, I should go have lunch too!”

 

Vanessa leisurely headed toward the lodging. The dining area and lodging were different places, but Evelyn didn’t know this.

 

In an instant, only the two of them remained in the vast training ground.

 

Early spring weather was fickle. The chilly morning air had disappeared completely, and warm sunlight that had appeared was now shining on them both.

 

“Shall we start?”

 

At Theo’s call, Evelyn looked at him.

 

A smile that suited the sun was directed toward her.

 

‘What a fascinating person.’

 

Theo was multifaceted. When they first met, she seemed to have been overwhelmed by his beauty along with his imposing presence as a duke.

 

But after growing closer, he had wanted her concern. His face had been almost melancholy.

 

Yet he maintained a cool attitude before the Emperor. At the same time, he looked at Evelyn with eyes as sweet and soft as cream.

 

Behind his always composed appearance, a boyish smile was hidden.

 

She decided not to think about the question ‘Which one is his real self?’

 

All those pieces combined would form Theo.

 

If even one of the sides Theo showed was false, those around him wouldn’t trust him as they do now.

 

She remembered a conversation with her mother from childhood.

 

Her mother always emphasized ‘sincerity.’

 

‘Evelyn, what’s important is always sincerity. Do you know how I’ve maintained married life with your father all this time?’

 

‘Because he’s handsome?’

 

‘Be quiet. It’s because he’s someone who’s consistent in everything. Masks are bound to come off eventually.’

 

‘I don’t understand what you mean.’

 

‘Just remember one thing. Only sincerity can win a person’s heart. The more you reveal yourself, the longer that relationship will last.’

 

Then, had Theo lived truthfully in everything?

 

With his whole heart?

 

Just then, a low voice was heard.

 

“What are you thinking about?”

 

He asked a question with blue eyes that looked directly at her.

 

“Something my mother told me.”

 

At the sudden beginning, Theo sent her a puzzled look.

 

“She said the most important thing in winning someone’s heart is sincerity. Relationships where you deceive yourself don’t last long.”

 

“For example?”

 

“Like creating a fake image to look good to someone, or for my own benefit.”

 

Theo tilted his head to the side.

 

“That’s difficult.”

 

Evelyn was slightly surprised by his reaction. She had thought of Theo as an honest person.

 

“What’s difficult?”

 

“What if you can only show part of your heart? A situation where you can’t reveal everything due to certain circumstances. And the other person believes that part is everything.”

 

Would this case also be sincere?

 

Theo asked in return. Behind his calm smile lurked a thirst.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Evelyn pondered seriously. After a moment, she looked up at Theo.

 

“It would be sincere.”

 

“…”

 

“I’m not good at explanations like this. So… let me use a simple analogy.”

 

Evelyn used the ocean as an example. Because the human heart is as deep and mysterious as something whose depths cannot be known.

 

“The shore we see is only a tiny part. But does that make it any less the ocean?”

 

She continued speaking.

 

“You approach carefully because you’re afraid that if you pour out violent waves, the other person might be in danger or feel overwhelmed.”

 

“…”

 

“With the refreshing scent of water, with cool tides continuously knocking on their heart, the day will come when they too will dip their feet into the sea.”

 

She smiled, saying it wouldn’t be too late to fully reveal your heart then.

 

Her blue eyes, resembling the ocean, stirred him. Theo had to barely hold back the surging waves.

 

“I see, so now is the time to knock on hearts.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

At her question, Theo raised the corners of his mouth.

 

For a moment, their gazes intertwined. His violet eyes looked as if they would pierce through Evelyn’s eyes, then slowly moved downward.

 

Past her small nose to her full lips.

 

“Why are you looking like that…”

 

Just as Evelyn opened her mouth, overwhelmed by his gaze.

 

“Let’s start practicing. You’ll need to learn properly.”

 

Theo’s long eyes curved into crescents.

 

Then he moved his steps behind Evelyn. As if nothing had happened.

 

Perhaps because she was focusing all her attention on him, she could feel his large frame that seemed to envelop her entire back.

 

Theo extended one arm and took hold of Evelyn’s hand that gripped the sword.

 

“I have a strong competitive spirit.”

 

At the languid voice that resonated above her head, memories from the previous day surfaced again. No, this was an even more overwhelming situation than yesterday.

 

Theo’s hand rested on top of her hand holding the dagger. Every time the calluses formed from long sword practice tapped against the back of her hand, Evelyn flinched slightly.

 

Unlike when he corrected the knights’ swordsmanship, he didn’t handle Evelyn carelessly.

 

His subtle touch gently made contact with her skin. Theo guided her hand to the center of the dagger while teaching her about the center of gravity.

 

“It’s closer to pushing than throwing.”

 

“…”

 

“Put one foot back.”

 

As she shifted her body, his solid warmth was transmitted completely. Evelyn unconsciously drew in a breath.

 

Soon after, a large hand wrapped around her left shoulder.

 

“You need to relax.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Due to the height difference between Theo and Evelyn, he had to bend his upper body every time he corrected her posture. His low voice touched her ear.

 

She glanced to the side, but Theo seemed completely unconcerned. His gaze remained fixed only on the dagger.

 

“Good, shall we try throwing once?”

 

Theo held her hand and pulled it back. The two moved together as if they had become one body, then finally threw the dagger.

 

The small blade instantly cut through the wind and landed on the target.

 

“Huh?”

 

Evelyn’s eyes widened. It had hit the center.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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